Thursday, December 9, 2010

Like Laptops for Love and Heroes Milestones, Holiday Heroes is another program that falls under the social assistance umbrella structure through Heroes for Children. The social assistance programs at HFC are each, uniquely designed and customized to fit the needs of the patient, the parents and finally, the family as a whole. Holiday Heroes is the program that provides for each and every member of a family with a child battling cancer. Here's a sneak peak into the Holiday Heroes workshop so you can get a glimpse of the time and work that goes into making every wonderous wish come true!

In early November, several hard-working groups of gift-gatherers begin operation Holiday Heroes, hunting items from their family's wish lists at "the one and only family wish-granting store," Wal-Mart. The groups involved in this year's Holiday Heroes program include:

HFC Friends, Tricor Braun, Junior Frisco Women's League, Cityplace, AED of TCU, Four Seasons Houston, Macquarie and Pro-Spirit. These members shop, wrap, and donate gifts to selected cancer families during the holiday season. These families then receive their gifts at a holiday delivery party attended by volunteers, staff and of course the families!

In 2010, 57 families across the state were adopted for the Holiday Heroes program; the largest number of families ever in the program's history! This past weekend we celebrated delivery parties in Dallas, Saturday, Dec. 4th at Cityplace Conference & Events Center, Sunday, Dec. 5th in Fort Worth at Cook Children's Decker Board Room and in Houston at the Four Seasons Hotel. Here are some first-hand accounts of what went on at these parties:

Smiles, suprises and secrets to Santa. Child-like wonder, carefree spirits, cookie eating and craft-making. A moment for every member involved to sit back and admire the strengths of these families and in the same breath acknowledge their struggles, and what an important part they played in participating in the program.

Holiday Heroes 2010 was a success on many different levels and will go down as our largest year to date. However, we hope to help even more families in years to come and invite you to continue to be a part of this program. Because without you, we could not accomplish what we do and for that we thank you!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Mark your calendars! Notfindingout.com is having an 'End of the Year Holiday Moving Sale,' beginning Monday, November 29th through the end of the year!Shop 40% off ALL in-store merchandise and 50% off Monday, November 29th (9 am-5 pm) and Saturday, December 4th (1 pm-5 pm)! The sale includes some of your favorite brands like BeBe Au Lait, Hooter Hiders, Ruffle Butts, Itzy Ritzy, Bella Tuno, Caden Lane and more!

As part of this event, notfindingout.com is PROUDLY offering a "keep the change" campaign benefiting Heroes for Children!

Get a sneak peak of their selection at notfindingout.com and shop their stock in person at their location in Dallas at 3100 Monticello Ave. Suite 120. Open daily from 9 am-5 pm.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Saturday September 18th marked a very special day for both, Beverly and Heroes for Children. We had the pleasure of throwing a dual celebration, honoring Beverly’s 12th birthday party and her First Communion-two very big milestones in Beverly’s life!!

Beverly has been battling a form of cancer called Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Osteosarcoma is typically found in boys 14-16 years of age and located in places like knees or elbows. Beverly’s cancer was found in places like her throat and chest which makes her story even more compelling and rare.Through Heroes for Children’s Milestone Hero program, we were able to throw Beverly the communion and birthday bash fit for a princess!

The venue was decorated brilliantly in white and pink colors, something only 3 women with daughters could stir up and pull off (thank you Emily, Leigh and Amy)! The tables were beautifully decorated with breathtaking pink flowers and the most delicious looking candy-filled glass bowl centerpieces any tween has ever seen! The only thing that could make the room look any more beautiful would be our princess, Beverly. She sat at the head of the room, in a make-your-eyes-tear-up exquisite, sparkling floor length white gown, and of course a glimmering tiara, something no princess can leave the house without!

The evening was a huge success with the DJ playing Beverly and her family’s favorite songs, the dance floor moving, and a delicious dinner from Papasito’s. Heroes for Children is truly so lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of such a beautiful evening.Beverly is one of many children, Heroes for Children helps through its assistance programs. To learn more, please visit our website at www.heroesforchildren.org.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Almost 3 years ago, my girls started doing competitive cheerleading at Pro-Spirit in Mckinney. I must admit, I wondered, what on earth am I getting myself into?! Little did I know what an incredibly awesome experience it would be not just for them, but for me as well. You see, Pro-Spirit does not just train amazing athletes, (yes, these kids ARE athletes!). They teach the kids to be thankful and appreciative for their strength, their health and the opportunities that they have before them. The gym owners, Diana and Jeff Miller, teach them to give back to their community and the importance of philanthropy at a young age.Each year, Pro-Spirit embraces a cause, and engages the cheerleaders and their families to support this cause. Heroes for Children is blessed to be their charity of choice this year. When we kicked off this campaign, I spoke to the cheerleaders about childhood cancer and how approximately 1 in 300 children will be diagnosed with cancer. I told them about the ways HFC helps families who have a child with cancer and encouraged them to get involved, fund raise, participate in the 5K and make a difference.Over the course of the next several months, the cheerleaders began signing up and fundraising for the Heroes for Children 5K. We were all completely taken aback though when in June, one of our very own cheerleaders, was diagnosed with cancer. The gym rallied around Lauren and her family offering prayers, support, meals, anything they could, to support Lauren and her family. Then, just a few weeks ago, another teenage girl, the sister of one of our Pro-Spirit cheerleaders, was also diagnosed with cancer. This has been a difficult journey for these families and the families at Pro-Spirit. Our kids have learned all to well the reality of childhood cancer and the importance of supporting these families during their child's battle with cancer.I am thankful for the Pro-Spirit family and I am so PROUD that Team Pro-Spirit has over 200 members who will be participating in the 5K this Saturday!! Not only are they participating, they are FUNDRAISING!! To date, the team has raised $12,327 (and counting!!) for Heroes for Children. Watch for the sea of red "Spirit Heroes" shirts at the 5K on Saturday. Team Pro-Spirit will be walking/running/cheering in honor of our heroes, Hagan and Lauren.Thanks Pro-Spirit for being TRUE HEROES for kids with cancer.

Friday, September 17, 2010

We are so excited to honor our HFC 5K & 1K Fun Run Chairs as the Volunteers of the Month for September. Amanda Blankenship & Jonathan Forgione have been involved in the 5K for many years and are doing an incredible job chairing the event this year. The HFC 5K & 1K Fun Run is coming up next Saturday, September 25 at the Shops at Legacy in Plano. The event is expecting to double its participation under Amanda & Jonathan's leadership. We couldn't be more thrilled with their support of Heroes for Children and the hours they have dedicated to making this year's 5K such a success. I am sure they would want to make sure you are all invited to register for the 5K Run/Walk or 1K Fun Run. :) You can register online through Wednesday, September 23 at Noon - www.heroesforchildren.org/5K. Or Thursday/Friday at Luke's Locker in Plano. Or race morning starting at 6:30 am.

Thank you Amanda & Jonathan!!

Name, Occupation:

Jonathan Forgione, President, West Richardson, ViewPoint Bank

Jonathan Forgione

Amanda Blankenship and family

Name, Occupation:

Amanda S. Blankenship

First and foremost:Woman, Wife & Mom

Business Development Director, Venturity Financial Partners

How did you get involved with HFC?

A - Allan Rayson and I worked together and I followed the Scott’s story when everything was happening with Ally, it moved me so I wanted to see how I could help.Just so happened that Jennifer Rayson was chairing the 5K and I was able to serve on the committee…Four years ago!

J - Through neighborhood fundraiser for Jenny Scott and her family, and Medical City Dallas.

Do you have any kids and/or pets?

A - Two beautiful boys… Gavin (2.5) and Gage (5 months)!

J - My wife and I have 2 kids: Mallory Forgione (6), Jameson Forgione (J.J. 3). We also have one pet and his name is Parker.

From looking at you, no one would guess that…..

A - I am a certified yoga instructor… but really need to work on my own practice!Ha!

J - When I was born my legs were uneven, I had to spend several years in a special brace to fix the problem.

Favorite place to eat:

A - I love Chuy’s… you can’t go wrong with good Mexican!

J - The Blue Fish

What’s on your book shelf?

A - Currently, all of the Harry Potter Books… I love Dan Brown, and am right now enjoying Eat, Pray, Love!

J - Bible, an assortment of other books and some old college books, and the Twilight series as well.

What’s in your iPod/CD changer?

A - Everything, from old school country, to Top 20 Hits, to sing-a-long kids songs…

J - Lots and lots of country music from the 90’s

Who’s your hero?

A - Hard to peg this title to just one person, as I have many, but at this moment… my Dad.I respect him on so many levels and appreciate the relationship that we have.Today – He is my HERO!

J - The men and women of the United States armed forces. They put their lives on the line every day to protect our way of life and the freedoms we hold very dear to our hearts.